Hinged last.



S D. LAYMAN.

HINGED LAST. APPLNIATION FILED 050.21, I914.

1,144,363. Patented June 29, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS 50., PHOTC LITHO.. WASHINGWON. D. C.

S. D. LAYMAN.

HINGE!) LAST. APPLICATION FILED 050.21. I914.

1,144,363. Patented June 29, 1915.

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WITNESSES 7n 4 I XW @QWQ W .195 9 Mmm THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTOVLITHOH WASHINGTON, D. C.

S. D. LAYMAN.

HINGED LAST.

APPLICATION FlLED DEC-21, 1914- 1,144,363. Patented June 29, 1915.

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menses.

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STEPHEN D. LAYMAN, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

HINGED LAST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1915.

Application fi1ed December 21, 1914. Serial No. 878,206.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN D. LAYMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hinged Lasts, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hinged lasts for use in the manufacture of shoesand other footwear, and relates more particularly to but is distributed over a considerable space so that the last will be able to effectively resist the side to side stresses to which such lasts are subjected in the operation of manu facturing shoes which, nowadays,is carried out very largely by machineryexerting considerable power.

Another object consists in the construction of the members making up the rotatable connecting means between the parts of the last in such manner that the means for connecting the same to parts of the last serve also as the means for guiding and supporting the parts during their relative rotative movement.

Another obj cot of the invention consists in the arrangement of the parts for connecting members of the hinged connecting means to the last members in a circle at a distance from the center of rotation but concentric therewith, thereby making possible the removal of the stresses incidental to rotation to a considerable distance from the rotation.

Another object of the invention consists in the provision of means whereby the parts of the last may be substantially locked in their normal extended position in such manner that greater force is required to start the rotative turning movement than is required thereafter to continue the same.

Another object ofthe invention consists in an improved arrangement of the spring for holding the lastin normal extended position center of and in improved means for connecting the same to the rotating connecting means.

Another object of the invention consists in the make up of the rotatable connecting means in such manner that the same may be punched out of sheet metal by a simple punching operation and may be readily as sembled and made up in such manner that a very effective rotatable connection may be provided at extremely low cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear in connection with the further description thereof, and with the foregoing and related objects in view my invention consists in the parts, improvements and combinations herein set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal cross-section on the line 11, Fig. 2, of a last embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows, the connecting means being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the connecting disks made use of in the form of last shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the other disk of the pair. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified form of construction. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the disks of the rotatable connecting means shown in Fig. 5, and of the yoke connected therewith all assembled together. Figs. 7 and 8 are side views of the connecting disks used in the form of last shown in Fig. 5 respectively. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a second modified form. Figs. 10 and 11 are side views of the disks making up the connecting means shown in Fig. 9 and showing the connecting yoke in different positions, and Figs. 12 and 13 are side views of the two disks made use of in the connecting means shown in Fig. 9.

Referring first to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4: inclusive, reference numeral 10 represents the toe or forward part of the last and numeral 11 the heel or rear part thereof. The rear lower part 12 of the portion 10 of the last and the forward lower part 18 of the rear part 11 of the. last normally abut against one another as shown in Fig. 1, and the upper parts thereof at about the center are cut away to the center of rotation, preferably by a bevel as indicated at 14: and 15 respectively to enable the turning ofthe two parts of the last relative to one another. Recesses are provided in the two parts 10 and 11 of the last for receiving the rotary connection means, such recesses being indicated by the numerals 15 and 17 respectively. The disks 18 and 19 are received within the recesses 16 and 17 and preferably fit fairly closely therein as shown in Fig. 2. These disks are substantially coextensive and are arranged side by side as shownin Fig. 2, and so arranged are received within the recesses 16 and 17 of the two parts of the last. In the form shown, the disk 18 is secured to the forward portion 10 of the last to turn therewith, and to this end is provided with the two holes 20 and 21 through which the pins 22 and23 are passed, which also pass through the openings 24 and 25 provided in the portion 10 of the last for the reception thereof, and the disk I 18 is thereby rigidly held in the part 10 of the last and so that it can have no turning movement in relation thereto. The pins 22 and 23 pass also, respectively, through the slots 26 and 27 in the disk 19, said slots being of substantially the same length and being formed concentrically with respect to the circular periphery of the disk 19., WVhile said disks are preferably circular in general outline, this particular form isnot essential. "With the arrangement so far described it will be apparent that whereas the disk 18 is fixed with respect to the member 10 of the last, the disk-19 can rotate with respect thereto throughout the extent defined by the slots 26 and 27. On the opposite sides of the disks 18 and 19 the reverse relation is had, the disk 19 being provided with holes 28 and 29 through which pass the pins 30 and 31, which pins extend transversely through openings provided therefor in the rear member 11, such pins also passing through the slots 32 and 33 in the disk 18. The disk 19 is thus fixed so that it is prevented from rotating with re spect to the member 11, whereas the disk 18, and the member 10 secured thereto, may rotate with respect to the portion 11 of the last and the disk 18 t0 the extent defined bv the concentric slots 32 and 33 in the member 18. The concentric slots 27 and 28 and 32 and 33 being all of substantially the same extent and all arranged in a circle, being placed equi-distant from the center of rotation, it will be seen that by this construction a rotatable connecting means is provided between the parts 10 and 11 of the last and that such rotatable connecting means is not concentrated at a single point as a simple hinge, but extends over a considerable surface, affording a simple and easily constructed means of connection and at the same time imparting great strength to the structure to hold it rigidly in line from end to end, the two disks 18 and 19 being fiat and substantially coextensive and lying closely against one another and fitting closely within the recesses 16 and 17 cut in the parts of the last for their reception, and that further the pins 22, 23, 30 and 31 being arranged in acircle, the entire connecting means turn thereon as upon a pivot of very large diameter.

- Spring means for holding the parts of the last normally in the extended position shown in Fig. 1 are provided,'and in this form of last may comprise an upward extension 34 on the disk 19 secured'to the member 11, and a spring'36, the extension 3 1- being provided with'a lug 35 to enter the opening in the coiled spring 36, which said spring is received in a suitable recess 37 formed in the forward portion 10 of the last for that purpose. As will be apparent, when force is applied for such purpose, the two parts 10 and 11 of the last may be rotated with respect to one another, as upon a hinge, against the compression spring 33, as for shortening the last in order to withdraw it from the shoe, and when pressure is not applied for such purpose, the parts of the last are normally held in the relation shown in Fig. 1, by

the spring 36 and the connecting means concentric holes and slotsfor receiving the pins 22 and 23 and 30 and 31 in the same manner as in the form of construction shown in Fig. 1. In this case, however, the extension 34 is dispensed with and the disk 19 is provided with an opening 38 and the disk 18 is provided with a concentric slot 38 opposite the opening 38. A yoke 39, the side bars whereof hug closely the sides of the disks 18 and 19, has a cross member 40 which is passed through the hole 38 and 7 slot 38, and the ends thereof opposite the cross bartO are brought close together, as at 4:1, shoulders 4:2 being provided thereon and the yoke 39 being preferably split, as at 43, to permit its sides being sprung apart in making the assembly. A coil spring 44 is provided, in the central opening-in which the reduced part 41 of the yoke 39 is received, and when the construction is such that the spring 43 is to be received within the toe block 11 and opening 45 is provided therein for its reception, the rear part of such opening being preferaby enlarged somewhat, as at 46, to permit up and down movement of the spring 44 in such neighborhood when the spring is compressed. With this arrange ment increased stiffness may be obtained in the side to side direction by reason of the reinforcing action of the yoke 39, the sides of which hug fairlyclosely against the disks 18 and 19,and furthermore, a greater pivoting action of the blocks 10 and 11' upon one another may be secured, if desired, since the point at which the spring pressure is I applied is somewhat closer to the center of rotation than in the form shown in Fig. 1.

It will be seen that upon applying bending stress to turn one portion of the last with respect to the other upon the center of rotation, the yoke 39 with its cross member 40 received in the opening 38 will move in such manner as to efiect compression of the spring 44, the cross member 40 moving in the slot 38 at such times, the slot38 being concentrio to the center of rotation, so that the hole 38 will at all times be opposite some portion'of the slot 38, and in this way the slot 38' will not interfere with the movement of the yoke 39.

According to my invention means may also be provided for securing a locking effect so that the parts of the last when in their normal extended position may be at least ,to an extent locked in such position, so that greater force than the mere force necessary to overcome the pressureimparted by the spring will be required to turn the parts of the lasts relative to one another on their center of rotation, but after such movement has been commenced the locking effect will no longer be present and further movement of rotation may be imparted by merely compressing the spring. I have shown in Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, one form of construction in which this result may be effectively obtained. The construction shown in these figures is for the most part identical with that illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, the only exception being in the provision of the initial locking means, which are provided in order to insure with increased certainty that the portions 7 of the last will remain in their extended norclined somewhat to the rear, and for the simple slot 38 there is substituted a slot 51 made up of an outer concentric portion 52 and an inwardly inclined portion 53 joining with the portion 52 at an angle, all parts of the entire slot 51, however, being of substantially the same width. The yoke 39 has its cross member 40 received in both the slots 50 and 51 in substantially the same manner as in the case of the hole 38 and slot 38. As the slot 50 is inclined somewhat at its inner end toward the rear portion of the heel of the last, the tendency of the cross member 40 of the yoke 39, under the action of the spring 44, is to ride along such slot until it reaches the inner end thereof, as is clearly indicated in Figs. 9 and 11. The concentric part 52 of the slot 51, however, being farther from the center of the disk 18 than such inner end 53 of the slot 50, and the portion 53 of the slot 51 being the only part of the slot 51 which extends inwardly opposite the inner end of the slot 50, it will be apparent that upon relative rotative movement being imparted to the two parts of the last the cross member 40 willbe forced to ride up upon the surface 54 of the slot "51 which acts substantially as a cam, and to enter the concentric portion 52 thereof, and when this position has been obtained, upon further rotation ofthe partsrelative to one another, the movement of the yoke 39 and cross member 40 thereof will be substantially like the movement thereof in the case of the structure shown in Figs. 5 to 8.

By this means it will be seen that a looking effect such as has been above referred to is obtained, it being necessary, in order to commence the rotative movement of the parts of the last relative to one another, to, so speak, cam the cross member 40 out of the bottom of the slot 50 and up to the upper end thereof before it is in position to move in the concentric portion of the slot 52, as indicated in Fig. 10, in which position there is substantially no greater resistance to the rotative movement of the parts than is due to the compression of the spring Such arrangement has all the advantages of the form of construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8 with the additional important advantage that, whereas the parts of the lastare capable of rotative movement'upon their rotative center, nevertheless there is a substantial locking eflect which, however, is present only at the beginning of such movement and does not interfere with the subsequent relative movement thereof once it has been substantially commenced. By this means the last is maintained securely in its extended position, asshown in Fig. 9, and is able to maintain such position notwithstanding the considerable pounding and rough treatment of one kind or another to which it is subjected during the lasting of shoes by modern machinery, which subject the last to considerable stresses in a number of different ways.

Itwill be seen that by the present invention a very simple and easily constructed rotative connection between the portions of the hinged last is obtained; that the rotative stresses are distributed over a considerable surface so that there will be prac- .tically no wear'during the ordinary life of the last and that the side to side stiffness of such rotative connecting means may be increased by proper application of the spring means for resisting rotation, and finally that it is. possible to securely lock the portions ofthe last in extended position so that ad ditional force is necessary to get them out of such position, this being an important feature because, as will readily be realized, the force of the spring is less when in its most extended position, and with such looking arrangement it becomes possible to make use of much lighter springs than can be utilized when the locking feature is not present and still have the last remain securely in its extended position.

While I have shown certain specific embodiments in which my invention may be utilized, it is to be understood that the forms of construction shown and described are merely illustrative and for the purpose of making my invention clearly understood,

and that I am not confined thereto, except as my invention is defined in my claims, but that changes, alterations and modifications in numerous respects may be resorted to, within the scope of my claims, without departing from'my invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: a

1. In a last, heel and toe portions, a pair of rotative members set side by side therebetween, and a plurality of means for securing the same to the said heel and toe portions, one of the rotative members turning only on certain of the securing means, and the other rotative member turning only on other of the securing means, substantially as set forth.

2. In a last, heel andtoe portions, a pair of disks set side by side therein, means for securing one of said disks rigidly and the other rotatively to one last portion and means for securing the first named disk rotatively and the other disk rigidly to the other last portion, substantially as set forth.

8. In a last, heel and toe portions having a longitudinally extending recess formed part in each thereof, a pair of disks in said recess, means for attaching one of said disks rigidly and the other rotatively to one of said last portions, and means for securing the first nameddisk rotatively and the other disk rigidly to the other last portion, substantially as set forth.

4. In a last, heel and toe portions having a longitudinally extending recess formed part in each thereof, a pair ofldisks in said recess, each of said disks being provided with holes and concentric slots, the holes in one being opposite the slots in the other, and pins in said last portions and extending through said holes and slots, substantially as set forth.

5. In a hinged last, heel and toe portions, a pair of disks set side by side therein and connected to the last portions to permit relative movement thereof, said disks being provided with registering openings, one of such openings being substantially elongated, a compression spring, and means of attachment for said spring passing through said openings and movable longitudinally in said elongated opening when said last portions are moved relative to one another, substantially as set forth.

6. In a hinged last, heel and toe portions having a longitudinally extending recess formed part in each thereof, a pair of disks in said recess, each of said disks being provided WithllOlGS and concentric slots, the holes in one being opposite the slots in the other, pins in said last portions and extending through saidholes and slots, said disks being further provided with registering openings, such opening in one of said disks I 7 being elongated, a compression spring, and means of attachment for said compression spring extending through said registering openings and movable longitudinally in said elongated opening when the last portions are turned, substantially as set forth.

7. In a hinged last, heel and toe portions, a pair of disks set side by side and connected to said heel and toe portions to; permit relative movement thereof, said disks being provided with registering openings, each of said openings having an inward extension and one of said openings being substantially elongated, a compression spring, and means of attachment for said compression spring extending through said registe ring openings and movable lon itudinally in said elongated opening when the last members are turned on their pivots and tending normally under the action of said spring to travel into said inward extensions of said openings when the last members are in normally extended position, substantially as set forth.

8. In a hinged last, heel and toe portions, substantially coextensive members attached respectively to said portions and permitting slot, a compression spring, and means of In testimony thatI claim the foregoin I attachment for said spring extending hereto set my hand, this 19th day of Decemthrough said slots, the spring being set at her, 1914.

an angle to normally force said means of STEPHEND. LAYMAN. 5 attachment inwardly to the farthest inward Witnesses:

extent of said slots, substantially as set M. A. JOHNSON,

forth. H. TRAUTV'ETTER.

Copies sf this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

